To think that this is the time to become as self sufficient as possible?

[letsgetplanning]

Just as the title says really??
Anyone else aiming to get more sufficient?
Buying some land, living as eco friendly as possible?
Growing your own as much as you can??
Using local shops that are more eco friendly too??
I'm just starting on my journey and I'm so excited!! Land/house bought, just working on the garden and growing all the while being as eco friendly as I can and buying plastic free etc.
Anyone else doing this or wanting too? Any more hints, tips or ideas??

Nowhere did I say that “being a little less reliant” is being self-sufficient. It’s exactly as stated, being a little less reliant. It can take many forms, and ultimately the panic buying of a few weeks ago has shown how people as a whole really could do with being a little more self-reliant and prepared.

It’s not a bad thing, nor does it deserve derision from people who refuse to believe it’s attainable for a large proportion of people.

@PissedOffProf of course I am aware of that, I never said I wasn't but why are you acting like it's a crime that I prioritise paying for health insurance??

The words self sufficient don't need to be taken SO literally...and yes I am very aware that many many ppl cannot afford to, have the space to do it. I didn't realise that if I don't state my awareness in my very first post that it automatically makes me ignorant and smug!!

Good god, can a person not be excited about trying to make a change and look for advice without being called a " white-supremacist"

@FairIsleViking but it's a start surely!!

In light of recent events I think it would be a great idea if we ensured that our PPE was made in this country in future.

I think it unlikely any individual in the UK could ever be self-sufficient. We would have to be prepared to accept that there are many products we would never have again - many things that just won't grow in our climate. OP, it isn't self-sufficient to have private healthcare. That is relying on someone else for your healthcare needs. Maybe you used the wrong word?

I also personally believe that skills such as growing veg, sewing, baking etc aren’t “nice skills to have” and that they are actually basic life skills that everyone realistically should know at least a little of. The fact you and so many others consider themselves “nice skills to have” to enrich your lifestyles is how we’ve all got into this mess. If you can’t sew, plant a seed, bake a loaf... ask yourself why? Because let’s be honest, very few would have a valid excuse as to why they can’t.

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite I possibly did but my post about health care was a reaction to a pp. OF COURSE I can't be self sufficient when it comes to that. But I don't think it's fair to jump on someone about healthcare when all they are doing talking about growing veg and being more environmentally friendly Etc

I knew exactly what you meant OP - you even said in your title “as self sufficient as possible”. It’s very clear you didn’t mean going completely off-grid and hunting deer. Some people just like to be as contrary as possible. 🙄

Keep going, keep working towards your goals and remember that crops fail sometimes, but you can always fall back on radishes lol! :)

OP I am with you. It is a great thing to do and I do the same, have been for years.

@bananaontoast1 🤣 I do love radishes!!

@ducksback thank you!

Because let’s be honest, very few would have a valid excuse as to why they can’t.

You what??
What planet are you on??
Wpukd you like a chance to explain what appears to be your complete ignorance of the reality of other people?
I count myself as lucky that I learned knitting from my mum, but it’s the only thing my parents gave me and every other interest I have had to fight and pay for again and again against the obstacles of private rent, low wages and complete ignorance of the constant fights and struggles from the middle class rich. I’m lucky I’ve never had to live in a modern slum flat. I do have your basic skills. They take time, space and money to acquire. This is a third world country in the experience of its poorer classes - if you are not given those things it’s extraordinarily hard to earn them through work that doesn’t pay.

Something about this post seems a little weird... stealth boast? Or a journalist on a fishing expedition perhaps?
Agree - it sounds well off.

It's nice if possible but obviously this option isn't open to everyone.
I've been doing this in general op, but i live on the edge of a town and i have a large garden so quite lucky there really.
I'd love to move more rural though.
What area did you go to op?

Some people are like a dog with a bone arent they? Take one small aspect they dont agree with and run with it whipping themselves into a frenzy. In reality everyone using their own bits of land or plant pots to grow some fruit and veggies and buy a few chickens isnt going to Damage the world and kill everyone.

I’m going to attempt to grow veggies too! From what I’ve read I’ve missed the boat for tomatoes and potatoes but think I’m going to give runner beans a crack. I’m hardly green fingered though so I have little faith (RIP last years plants)

Pre lock down we used to get all our fruit and veg from the little green grocers near us. It’s more expensive than the supermarket but everything is locally sourced and doesn’t come wrapped in ten layers of plastic. It’s definatley tastier too and there’s more variety - I loved the rainbow carrots! Unfortunately they closed their shop and went to delivery only during lockdown and we weren’t quick enough to get a delivery slot. Looking forward to them reopening.

The whole eco friendly lifestyle has definitely morphed into a middle class wet dream though.

It just another thing that isn’t feasible for many many people sadly. If you live in a flat with no garden and not much disposable income to feed your family then buying from local independent shops is prohibitingly expensive, as is buying some land to grow your own.

I’m on the planet that also came from a very poor working class background, and learnt to sew by mending socks out of necessity. :)

Not everything is because of the privileged middle classes - sometimes people just like excuses.

I’m out anyway - I’m off to tend my mini veg plot safe in the knowledge that the vast majority can learn these skills if they’re so inclined.

If you’re not inclined to do so, you’ve only really yourselves to blame. It’s a lot cheaper to buy needle and thread than a new article of clothing, for instance.

Good for you OP, spend your money how you like, as you would be free to do so with any hobby, which is what it is. People have been having allotments for years and those usually end up laid to waste as well because of a need for fantasies about the wholesome nature of good old days and self sufficiency purifying their souls and making them better, cleverer, savvier and more wholesome people than those who aren't doing it.

I wonder how many people will still have the time or inclination to bake fresh bread for every meal and live off the land (which costs a fortune and involves significant cost and involvement with retail and modern life to sustain) once this is over or we've simply adjusted, the supply chain is back to normal and they've realised it was all a comfort blanket during a difficult time. Some people buy toilet roll, some buy significantly more on the idea of growing their own food.

There is no need to romanticise it or self congratulate for it though, or for recycling. Fairly sure the council make that virtually obligatory. If you can't see that it sounds tone deaf to glibly suggest it's 'just' a case of buying a bit of land and investing a fortune for minimal return then that is a bit of a problem. What happens when you go to work- just hire a couple of gardeners is it?

OP, I don't want to piss on your chips too much. I agree small things add up. It is exciting and fun - but probably partly because you're not actually depending on it for survival!

Just maybe be aware that glibly suggesting people 'buy some land' and talking about your private healthcare does suggest a slightly, shall we say, insulated worldview, though...

But I hope it goes well and you get many hours of happiness from your plot and your chickens, it sounds like a good start.

bananaontoast bullshit are you, because that is my path, and I know how hard it’s been.
Needle and thread costs £3. When you are having to save pennies to eat of, that’s a lot. Nor will it do you much good alone. Material for a child’s skirt costs £25. That’s enough to keep a family fed for a week.

I take it you don’t approve of anyone younger than yourself who is trying to follow that path right now, but is still on the journey??

Depends where you’re buying it from I suppose.

Anyway, I stated mending, not buying the bloody material new. 😂

I agree things are hard in this country, however why not pick your battles eh? Shouting at someone for planting potatoes isn’t helping anyone, nor is wasting time shouting at people for daring to know how to repair things when you could be using that time to learn how to do it yourself.

I also call bullshit on you having the same sort of upbringing as me. :) if you did, you’d be able to see the value in making do with what you’ve got, repairing things, and not wasting time telling everyone how hard you’ve got it and how impossible it is to ever learn to thread a needle or any other painfully basic skill.

I really am out now, because you lot are bloody laughable.

It's not a race to the bottom.
It's a ridiculous attitude that because some people live in a flat others are smug for digging a hole in their garden and putting some sprouted spuds in.

A great number of people could, if they wanted, have a pot of basil or thyme on a windowsill.

There is zero requirement to be interested. But if you are, you can do a little something.

Growing fruit and vegetables is lovely if you have time/space etc, but do bear in mind most things are seasonal and will not feed you year round unless you have suitable storage and/or canning equipment. Easy to make a year round supply of jam/preserved fruit, but where are you storing all the jars or produce? I'm not saying don't do it, but think about how much you're going to produce and what you're going to do with it. And don't bother growing chard unless you actually want to eat it etc. Soft fruit especially can be expensive in the shops, growing your own can be quite a big cost saving if you eat a lot of it, and excess can be preserved.

More frugal living is probably possible for everyone, again it depends how far you want to take it, and the area you live in etc.

'The Art of Frugal Hedonism' is a good read for ideas, although not everything in it will be everyone's cup of tea.

No in the sense that I cant feed 4 kids all year even if 100% of my rented garden was turned into a veggie patch.

But yes in the fact that where ever I can I'm diverting impulse spends onto paying off the mortgage of our new house ( if we can ever move in)

Our neighbours had chickens, ducks goats etc in her three bed semi. It's quite common here.

Btw to the person saying fabric to make a kids skirt is £25. Yes in liberty of London.

I can get a metre of meterail for a skirt for under £6. Would make a few skirts for a 5 year old easily and have made one or two.

Also Alidi have very cheap materail and very cheap sewing kits.

That's for anyone who wanted to try. I buy duvet covers from charity shops for materail but it is a hobby. Everyone needs a hobby right?

@PhilCornwall1 it is worth getting on the waiting list. When I first applied for an allotment I was told the waiting list was 25 years. Then six months later I got a call to say that one had come up.

@letsgetplanning set yourself targets of things to become self sufficient in. The first thing for us was strawberries. We now never buy them.

Growing your own does give a good sense of seasonality. To me it now would seem strange to buy courgettes in winter as they are out of season. The same with tomatoes and peppers. They may be available in supermarkets but they seldom have a good flavour.

In general the further vegetables and fruit have had to travel the more that the journey has had an impact on the choice of variety and the less that flavour is considered.

Try things out. See what works for you. Do plan out your space with a keen eye on access to water, paths etc. Remember your crop rotation. Make friends with someone with stables. We take many tonnes of horse manure each year. Some we put straight on the beds and some we leave to rot down in a heap.